Friday, February 26, 2010

So I’m having a tough time deciding what to blog about, and I’ve decided to take a vote. Which of the following would you like me to discuss?

1) Tips and techniques for proper tooth brushing.
2) The role of Alkiviades in ancient Greek history
3) My new three-book deal with Sourcebooks, Inc.
4) How to change the spark plugs in your car.

Alkiviades, you say? Excellent choice.

Alkiviades lived from 452-402 BC and is considered one of the most controversial figures of the antiquity. A member of the democratic parataxis, he—

What? That wasn’t what you wanted me to discuss? Oh, you wanted to hear about the book deal?

Well then . . .

For several weeks, Wonder Agent Michelle Wolfson and I have been having talks with Editor Deb Werksman at Sourcebooks, Inc. Though many aspiring authors probably start off thinking you just write a book and hand it off to an editor who either buys it or doesn’t, the process is seldom that simple.

For one thing, Sourcebooks is big on building authors’ careers – not just publishing one book. Savvy publishing professional that she is, Deb wanted to see a complete career arc and a “hook” that sums up the sort of books readers can expect from me. The three of us have spent weeks brainstorming titles and marketing ideas and concepts for future books.

We finally got everything nailed down just the way we wanted it, and Deb informed us on Monday that she would be taking it to her editorial board Thursday as a proposed three book deal. She wanted BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MAKING WAVES, and LET IT BREATHE. The first two are written, the third is not.

All day yesterday, I waited patiently (read: bit my fingernails and carried the phone with me every time I went to the bathroom) for news. Around 2:45 PST Michelle emailed to let me know she hadn’t heard anything and that it was possible the meeting had been canceled due to bad weather.

I resigned myself to not hearing anything that day and got busy doing the dishes. One hour later, the phone rang. It was Michelle, and I knew from her grim tone that bad news was coming.

What I actually should have known from her grim tone is that my agent is a sneaky wench who delights in yanking my chain by making idle chit chat in a faux-somber voice when I just wanted to scream “WHAT IS IT WHAT DID THEY SAY?!?!?!?”

She finally put me out of my misery and told me about the offer. She gave me the details, which I feverishly jotted on the back of a grocery receipt while the dog licked my ankle. Tentatively, the first book is scheduled for release in August 2011, with the other two coming out over the course of the following 12 months. This makes me happy because (a) having three books released in a 12-month span is a fabulous way to build a readership, and (b) August is a great month for a release not only because my books are excellent beach reads, but because it’s my birthday month!

So that’s what I know right now. Well, that and the fact that WONDER AGENT MICHELLE WOLFSON TOTALLY RULES!

And I’m really, really looking forward to working with Deb Werksman as well, since she’s an amazing editor who clearly has terrific taste in books. I’m also excited about being published with Sourcebooks. As some of you may recall from a previous post, Sourcebooks published one of my very favorite books (Tiffanie DeBartolo’s HOW TO KILL A ROCK STAR) as well as several others that have been favorites with my drinking club . . . er, book club . . . over the years.

So this is very good news all around. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go climb up on the roof with a bottle of champagne and a megaphone so I can shout it out to the neighborhood.

It's Michelle Wolfson, Tawna's agent. I just came to offer up my own HUGE congratulations to Tawna. For those of you who know her well, you KNOW how long and hard she's worked and how much she deserves this.

I'm so glad you stuck it out with me, Tawna, so I can share in the celebrations and reap the benefits of the enormous success that I am positive is coming your way!!

I am so happy for you and I hope you celebrate and enjoy every minute of it.

Laura, thanks for the cheers! You crazy kids will have to come visit us so we can celebrate together :)

Moonrat, thanks for the congrats! Pythagoras (uh, that's my husband's pseudonym here on the blog) and I traveled around Greece last summer and brought back tons of terrific books. Lots of fun stuff on Alkiviades, so maybe I'll consider doing a real blog post someday.

Congratulations! I'm a new follower, but I'm already looking forward to the books. Hate that publishing takes so long. The wait for Kiersten's PARANORMALCY already seemed eternal, now I have to wait until next year for yours! UGH!

Who the @#$% are you?

I'm an author of quirky romantic comedies for Montlake Publishing and Sourcebooks, including Making Waves, which was nominated for contemporary romance of the year by RT Book Reviews. I also write interactive fiction capers for Coliloquy and the steamy, heartwarming Front and Center series for Entangled Publishing. I'm represented by Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary Agency. Email me at tawnafenske at yahoo dot com.